Automatic car loading station



T. F. MccARTl-y 2,659,498 AUTOMATIC CAR LOADING STATION 3 Sheets-Sheet lJQ E Nov. 17, 1953 Filed May :5, 194? T. F. MCCARTHY AUTOMATIC CARLOADING STATION Nov. 17, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3, 1947 ffy. 2

Nov. 17, 1953 T, F. MocAR-rHY 2,659,498

AUTOMATIC CAR LOADING STATION MA IN CONVYOR I lvE/VKT EW dita/zwi@atente Nov. l?, i953 atar T @PHC AUTMATLIC CAR LQADHNG STATION TimothyF. McCarthy, Indiana, Pa.

Application May 3, 1947, Serial No. 745,755

(Cl. 2li-42) E lli Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic c r loadingstations, and more particun larly .relates to an improved electricalcontrol system for controlling the loading of a plurality or mine carswith loose material, such as coal, from a conveyor.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a new and improvedconveyor loading station, including an automatically operable electricalcontrol means therefor of a novel form and arrangement which is operableby movement of the cars along the mine track and the height of the coalon the cars, so as to uni- `formly load a trip of mine cars from a mainline conveyor.

In carrying out my invention I provide a main line conveyor for loadinga trip or mine cars as travels along a mine track and providJ a hoistfor moving these cars along the track. l also provide switching orcontrol devices operated by the cars as they move along the track, forstarting the line conveyor, when the cars are spotted beneath thedischarge end of the conveyor, further provide an electrical switchingor control device operable by engagement with the coal in the cars asthe coal reaches a predetermined height therein, for starting orstopping the hoist or causing the hoist to continue l also provide atransiciconveyor extending in a direction parallel to the track, whichis movable into position to receive coal discharged from the main lineconand convey it across the gaps between the cars into the nextsucceeding empty car, to avoid shutting down the main line conveyor, andl operate this transfer conveyor by first mentioned control deviceswhich are car and showing the position of the control means operable tocause the trip to progressively move along the track when the coal inthe main line conveyor reaches a predetermined height;

Figure 3 is an enlarged View in side elevation showing certain detailsof the transfer conveyor for transferring material across the gapbetween adjacent cars, and also showing the control means operable tocause movement of the car when the coal therein reaches a predeterminedheight;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing the ransferconveyor in position to receive coal as it is discharged from the mainline conveyor;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation lookingtowards the inside of one of the track rails with certain parts shown insubstantially longitudinal section, and showing certain details of thecontrol means operable by movement or the mine cars along the track;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View drawn tosubstantially the saine scale as Figure 5 and showing certain otherdetails of the control means for the loading station not shown in Figure5;

Figure 'l is a wiring diagram diagrammatically illustrating one form ofthe electric circuit for controlling operation of the loading station ofmy invention;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in side elevation somewhat similar toFigure 1, but showing the use of photoelectric relays for controllingcertain operations of the loading station of my invention instead ofcontrol devices operated by the car wheels, as in Figures l to 7;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view Showing the photoelectric relaysin side elevation; and

Figure 10 is a wiring diagram diagrammatically illustrating the form ofelectric circuit for controlling operation of the loading station withphotoelectric relays.

In -igure l of the drawings a track lil is shown as extending along theentry of a mine and having a trip of mine cars il, ll movable therealongin material receiving relation with respect to a main line conveyor l2which may extend from a mine room or entry. A transfer conveyor itextending parallel to the mine track is shown as being suspended fromthe mine roof on parallel links l5, I5 for movement into pcsitionbeneath the discharge end of said main line conveyor, to convey materialacross the gap between adjacent cars, during movement of the trip alongthe track.

The main line conveyor i2 may be of any well known forni and is hereinshown as being driven by an electric motor ifi, through a speed reduceril and a chain and sprocket drive i3. The showing of said conveyor isfor illustrative purposes only and is no part of my present invention soneed not be shown or described in detail.

The transfer conveyor lll is herein shown as being a center strandflight conveyor including a plurality of parallel spaced flights le, isconn nectecl to and extending laterally in opposite directions from anendless chain 2Q movable along a pan 2i of a conveyor framework 22. Saidchain and flights are driven from a motor 24 mounted on a plate 2dextending laterally from one side wall 26 of said conveyor framework,through a speed reducer 2l and a chain and sprocket drive indicatedgenerally by reference character` 29.

The parallel links E5, i suspending the trcnsfer conveyor iii from theniine roof are herein shown as being pivotally mounted adiacent theirupper ends between the vertical legs of parallel spaced angles on pins3l, Said angles are secured to and depend from cross beams 32, 32, heldin enffagement with the rains rooi by means of props 33, 33. The lowerends o said links, closest to the main line conveyor iii, are pivotallymounted on the outer ends of transverse shaft mounted on and extendingfrom opposite sides or" the framework 22 of said trans fer conveyor. Thelower ends of the other pair of scid links are pivotally mounted on theouter ends of a transverse shaft which is herein shown as being driven.from the motor and as forming a drive shaft for driving said conveyor.

A cylinder 3G havingl a piston rod El extensible therefrom isselectively operable to niove said transer conveyor into materialreceiving relation with respect to the main line conveyor i2 forconveying material across the gap between adiae cent ends of anv twocars of the trip. As herein shown, said cylinder is trunnioned adjacentits head end between support frames 39. depending from and held inengagement with the mine roof by means of props ci), 4%. Said piston rodis pivotally connected at its free end to the transverse shaft so thatupon the admission of air or any other fluid to the head end of saidcylinder, said transfer conveyor may be moved to vards and into materialreceiving` relation with respect to said in in line conveyor in anobvious manner. A tension spring 6i is connected between one parallellink. and a brace 153 or said trarne for returning sz? id piston rodwithin said cylinder and moving said transfer conveyor away from saiddischarge conveyor when huid pressure is released from the head end ofcylinder.

A hoist (not shown) is provided to advance the cars H, il along thetrack i5? rs the loading of said cars progresses by winding in a iexiblecable (not shown) attached to the outby end of the first car of thetrip. Said hoist driven by a motor generally indicated by referencecharacter M and shown diagrainniatically in Figures '7 and 10 of thedrawings. Operation of sa d hoist is controlled automatically by theheight of the coal in the mine car by means of a flapper switch l5 andby means or two depressible track bars l5 and M extending along theinside or one rail of the track l0 end adapted to be engaged by theanges of the wheels of the cars as they pass thereby and operateswitches dil and and close the contacts of said switches as the trippasses over said track bars, and to keep said contacts closed as long asthe cars are passing along the track beneath the discharge end of saidconveyor, as will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specificationproceeds.

The dapper switch l5 includes a flapper plate 5i? pivotally mounted onand depending from a support frame 5i secured to and depending from across beam 52 extending :long the mine roof. Said apper plate pivotsabout an axis extending longitudinally of the track and is adapted to beengaged by and moved outwardly by the coal loaded onto the car i i bythe conveyor i2, as said coal reaches a predetermined height. Outwardmovement of said plate a predetermined distance will close contacts 53of said switch, to connect the hoist niotor @d in the main line circuitand cause said hoist to operate until said plate drops to a dependingposition, when it will open said contacts. Other contacts 54 of saidswitch are normally closed and are opened by said rlapper plate whensaid ilapper plate is moved outwardly a distance 'further than the distsnce necessary to close the contacts 53, to shut off the motor i6 whichdrives the conveyor l2, in cases of failure of the hoist when theconveyor continues to load while said oar is in a stationary position onthe track. Said switch and contacts mcy be of any well known forni ofcommercial type, such as cani operated switch type HLA-3, illustrated inBulletin lOZEL of the Clark Controller Company, and are no part of niyinvention so are not herein shown or described. Said switch is hereinshown es being operated by the iiapper plate 5G by means ci a linkpivotally connected to the side of said plate opposite from the conveyori2 and havingY operative connection with a crank arm secured to the camshaft for operating said switch.

The track ber i6 is shown in Figures 5 and 6 as being constructed iroman angle iron, a horizontal leg of which is engaged by the flange of atrack wheel and the vertical leg of which abuts and is guided forvertical movement :long the vertical leg of an angle iron 5'! spacedinwardly from the track rail. Said angle iron 5l is herein shown asbeing secured at its horizontal leg to the inner lower flange of a railof the track lil. Said track bar has a plurality 01"' verticallongitudinally spaced slots 59, 5S formed in its vertical leg andguiding said track bar on pins (i9, 35 secured to and projecting fromthe verticcl leg of the angle 5l. A plurality of compression springs 53,53 are interposed between the horizontal legs of said angles to novesaid track bar vertically when the car wheels are out of engagementtherewith, it being understood that the horizontal leg of seid track barextends towards the upper flange of the rail a distance sufcient so thatits upper surface is engaged by the flange of the car wheel as it posses thereby, to depress said track bar.

The switch i8 is operated by the track bar 46 through a roller Si on theouter end of a pivoted arm t5. Said roller is adapted to engage theunder surface of a plate Gt secured to and projecting from the topportion of said track bar. Said arm G5 is secured to a transverse shaft6l journaled in a casing E8 for said switch. Said casing forms anenclosure for said switch 48 and for another switch 939 associatedtherewith and operable with said switch 4S. Said switches may be of awell known form of cam operated type switch such as the type HLA-3switch illustrated in Bulletin lOZHL oi the Clark Controller Coinpany,and are no part of my present invention so are not herein shown ordescribed in detail.

The track bar il? is vertically guided on the line conveyor, gaging thetrack bar switches GS and l@ closed, to continue operation of the hoistmotor 131i until said car has been moved to a position beyond th outbyend of said track bar, at which time s contacts 'l'El will open and stopsa mine locomotive may then pi a new trip may be spotted the irst car othe trip in me lation with respect to c ln this position the tra v ofthe rip will depress the t start the loading ope n oi the the mannerjust described.

In Figures 8, 9 and l-D of the drawings, the tracl: bars i5 and [il andthe switches operated thereby are replaced by three photoeleetric relaysincluding light sources i i8! and |52, projecting beams of light acrossthe entry onto photoelectric cells |53, Fill and M5 respectively. Saidlight sources and cells are spaced suitable distances apart determinedby length of the cars El, ll, so as to operate the hoist motor 44, mainline conveyor l5, and transfer conveyor motor 2A, in the propersequence. ln this form of my invention the iapper switch l5 controls theloading of the cars in the saine manner as in the disclosure of myinvention shown in igures l to '7 inclusive, and the saine motors,conveyors, hoist and starters are used, so the saine part numbers willbe applied to the parts that are the same as in Figures l to 'linclusive.

In Figure l the master switch 'i3 connects the positive conductor H tothe main line circuit, to permit the entire system to be shut down whendesired. Manually operated switches 9i and 95 are connected in the powerline to the starter 3|, to permit the main conveyor to be shut offmanually from the working face or the heading when desired. The lightsources lili?, |0| and |92 are connected to the conductor li through abranch conductor Hi8 and are ccnnected to ground through a conductorll'l.

When a light beam is established on the photoelectric cell |63 by thelight source ISB, current will flow `from the positive conductor llthrough a conductor la, photoelectric cell H33, conductor 2&9 and a coilH9 of a relay |l| to ground through a return conductor H2. This willenergize said coil and open said relay, it being understood that saidrelay is normally closed and is provided to connect the switches andrelays for controlling operation of the motors le, 24 and il in the mainline circuit when the light beam projected by the light source lili! isbroken by a car of the trip, as will hereinafter more clearly appear asthis specification proceeds.

When a light beam is established on the photoelectric cell lil/3 by thelight source lill, current from the positive conductors ll and |62 Willow through said photoelectric cell and through coils lili and H5 ofrelays H6 and IH respectively, and to ground through the return line H2.This Will energize said coils and close relay |18 and open relay lll.Closing of relay HB will connect coils H3, i9 and |28 and relays |2, |22and |23 in the power circuit to energize said coils .and close saidrelays. Closing of relay |2| will connect the star er 89 for the hoistmotor 44 in the circuit to start said next trip motor and hoist, andclosing of relay |22 will connect the starter 93 for the transferconveyor motor 24 in the circuit and start said motor and transferconveyor. When the relay lll is open the beam will be broken to the cell|l3 by the next succeeding car of the trip, which Will permit relay |i|to close and retain the starter 8| and motor V in the circuit. Relay |23is a lockin relay and coil |29 serves to lock in the contacts thereof.

When the outby end of the car interrupts the beam projected on the celllii, coils I I4 and H5 of contactors H6 and H1, respectively, will bedeenergized and relay H1 will close and relay HS will open. The hoistmotor M, however, will continue to operate because hold-in relay |23 isclosed and by-passes the current through a parallel circuit formed by arelay |28 which is normally closed.

Relay is in parallel with relay Il! and when both of said relays areopen, the hoist, transfer conveyor, and main line conveyor aredisconnected from the main power line and stop. Said relay Hl isprovided so that when the last car of the trip is loaded and moves to aposition to establish a light beam to the cells |04 and. at the sametime, the entire system will be shut down.

When a light beam is established on the photoelectric cell 35, currentWill flow from the positive line ll through said photoelectric cell toand through coils |213, |25 and |26 of relays E2?, |28 and |29,respectively, to ground through the negative conductor H2. This willenergize said coils and close the relay |27 and open the relays |28 and|29 in a delayed time interval. When time delay relay |23 opens, thehoist will continue to run because current flows through the parallelcircuit established by the closing of the relay |21. Closing oi relay|21 will energize coils H8, H9 and Hill of relays 52|, |22 and |23,respectively, to close said relays and continue operation of the hoistmotor through the relay |2i. Relay i2 is also a time delay relay and isnormally closed and opens in a delayed time interval after the lightbeam to the cell |535 is established. Said relay serves to preventstarting of the main line conveyor until the iirst car of the trip is inmaterial receiving relation with respect to said conveyor and the lightbeam to said cell |95 is broken. Opening of said relay is delayed for atime interval sufficient to prevent stopping of the main line conveyor,when a light beam is established te the cell |25 at the gaps between thecars as they pass thereby.

In operation of the loading station by the photoelectric cells H33, |84and it, the first car of the trip may be spotted, preferably by a minelocomotive, beneath the discharge end of the conveyor i2 in position tointerrupt the light beams projected by all three light sources |523,lill and lili?. The relays il! and |29 are normally closed when thelight beams to their respective cells are interrupted and will connectthe starter Si for the main conveyor motor IS with the positive line 1|through the contacts 54 of the apper switch 45, to start said main lineconveyor and load the outby end of the rst car of the trip. As the outbyend of the car is loaded to the desired height, the contacts 53 ofilapper switch 45 will then be closed by outward and upward pivotalmovement of the flapper plate El? effected by engagement with the coalloaded in said car, as has been previously described. The hoist motorill will then start and the cars will move along the track until a pointmay be reached during loading of the rst car when the dapper plate 5twill drop and open the contacts 5S to stop operation oi hoist motor liluntil the level of the coal in said car again reaches the desiredheight.

As said lirst car progresses along the track to a position where itsinoy end clears the source ci light lill, a light beani will beestablished to the photoelectric cell This will energize the coils llland llt of relays llt and lil and close the relay llt and open the relaylll. f-it this time the light bearn from the light source lill? to thephotoelectric cell i533, will be `oroken by the oiitoy end oi the secondcar of the trip the relay lll will close to connect the contacts 5d olthe ilapper switch ll with the positive line ll anc1 The cause theconveyor la to continue to oper coils lill, llt and i2@ of 23 will heenergized l il and the starter be connected in the the relay itl, tocause said h t to continue to operate when the contacts 53 oi thefrapper sr itch i5 are opened oy dropping of tie dapper plate 58. At thesame time the relay l2- will close a circuit to the starter @t for thetransfer conveyor motor 2li to start the tran 'ier conveyor Saidtransfer conveyor may then be inoved beneath the discharge end of saidline conveyor by the cylinder 3o ane piston to convey the coal acrossthe gap between adjacent ends of the car, until the ootby end oi thenext adjacent car oi the trip is in material receiving relation withrespect to the conveyor l2. Fluid may then he released from the cylinderto permit the ll to inove said transfer conveyor away the main lineconveyor. i'lhe light projected by the light sources itil, and will hebroken and loading or the second oi the trip will be controlled by thedapper switch fili in the saine manner as the first car.

As the last car of the tri' is loaded and passes the light source ist toestablish a hearn to the photoelectrie cell it-5, the relay lil willopen. As loading of said car progresses further, a light beam will beestablished to the photoelectric cell itil to open the relay lll' andclose the relay llt. This will disconnect the starters for the rnotorsline l l.

Movement or" said car beyond the photoelectric cell itil will establisha light beam to said cell and open the relay 52S. The relays will the bereset for another change of cars and the con veyor l2 will start todischarge into the nrst car 0i the trip as soon as the light beamestablished on the photoelectric cell is broken.

While l have herein shown and described one form in which may inventionmay be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof andthe arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to beconstrued as limiting mv invention to the specilic embodimentillustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an automatic loading station for loading a trip of mine cars withloose material such as coal, a main line conveyor supported in dischargerelation with respect to a trip of cars movable along a mine track, amotor ior driving said conveyor, a hoist for progressively moving thetrip of cars beneath the discharge end of said main line and iroin themain power i l@ conveyor, a motor for driving said hoist, a main powerline, electric switching means operable by the lirst car of a trip ofcars when said rst car is spotted in material receiving relation withrespect to said niain line conveyor, for connecting said motor for saidmain line conveyor in said power line, to start said conveyor, and adapper plate disposed adjacent the discharge end or" said conveyor anddepending from the mine roof, said iiapper plate having a switchingmeans associated therewith having first contacts normally open and scond contacts normally closed, and being Inovable about an axisextending longitudinally of the mine car by the coal discharged on saidcar as it re ches a predetermined height, to close said first contactsand connect said hoist motor in said power line to start said hoist andcause said car to move along said track, to completely load said tosubstantially the same level for its entire length, said frapper platealso being operable to open said second contacts and stop said niainline conveyor when the level of coal in said car exceeds saidpredetermined height.

2. ln an automatic loading station for loading a trip or inine cars withloose material such as coal, a niain line conveyor supported in cascaderelation with respect to a trip of cars rnovable along a mine track, amotor for driving said conveyor, a hoist for progressively moving thetrip of cars beneath the discharge end of said main line conveyor, ainotor for driving said hoist, a niain power line, electric switchingmeans operthe car of a trip oi cars when said first car is spotted inmaterial receiving relation with respect to said niain line conveyorincluding a depressifole track bar of a length substantially equal tothe distance between adjacent wheels of two coupled. cars oi the tripor" cars, for connecting said inotor for said niain line conveyor insaid power line, to start said conveyor, and electric switching meansoperable when the coal in the car being loaded reaches a predeterminedlevel adjacent the discharge point oi said conveyor, for connecting saidhoist motor in said power line, to start said hoist and cause said carto inove along said track, to completely load said car to substantiallythe saine level for its entire length, and other electric switchingmeans operable by said first car upon movement of said car beyond apredetermined point including another depressible tra i; bar spacedirorn said rst track bar in the direction oi' travel oi' the trip ofcars along the track a distance substantially equal to the wheel base ofthe cars of the trip of cars, for connecting said hoist motor in saidmain line circuit to continue operation oi said hoist after said firstcar has passed beyond said iirst named switching means operable by thecoal loaded in the car and said first named switching means has niovedto an open position,

3. ln an automatic loading station for loading a tripv of mine cars withloose material such as coal, a main line conveyor supported in cascaderelation with respect to a trip of cars movable along a mine track, amotor for driving said conveyor, a hoist for progressively moving thetrip of cars beneath the discharge end of said main line conveyor, amotor for driving said hoist, a main power line, Aelectric switchingmeans operable oy the rst car of a trip ci cars when said rst car isspotted in material receiving relation with respect to said inain lineconveyor, for conecting said motor for said niain line conveyor in s idpower line, to start said conveyor including a depressible track bar onthe up track side of said conveyor and terminating adjacent saidconveyor and electric switching means operable by the coal loaded in thecar when the coal reaches a predetermined level adjacent the dis chargepoint of said conveyor, for connecting said motor ior driving said hoistin said power line, to start said hoist and move said car along saidtrack and completely load said car to substantially the same level forits entire length, other electric switching means operable by said rstcar upon movement of said car beyond a predetermined point including asecond depressible track bar spaced from said first track bar on thedown track side of the said conveyor a distance substantially equal tothe wheel base of the mine cars of the trip of cars, for connecting saidhoist motor in said main line circuit to continue operation of saidhoist after said loaded car has passed beyond said second namedswitching means operable by the coal loaded in the car and said secondnamed switching means has moved to an open position, and other electricswitching means associated with said second named switching meansoperable by the coal loaded in the car, said last mentioned switchingmeans being operable by the coal loaded in the car to disconnect saidmotor for said conveyor from said main power line when the level of coalin the car being loaded exceeds said predetermined level.

4. In an automatic loading station for loading a trip of mine cars withloose material such as coal, a main line conveyor supported in cascaderelation with respect to a trip of cars movable along a mine track, atransfer conveyor extending in the direction of travel of the trip,manually controllable means for moving said transfer conveyor intomaterial receiving relation with respect to said main line conveyor, totransfer the coal across the gaps between adjacent ends of the cars, ahoist for moving the trip along the track beneath the discharge end ofsaid main line conveyor, a separate motor for driving each of saidconveyors and said hoist, a main power line, and electric switchingmeans for connecting said motors in said main power line to start andstop said conveyors and hoist in a predetermined order, said switchingmeans including an electric switch operable by the iirst car of the tripwhen said iirst car is spotted in material receiving relation withrespect to said main line conveyor, to connect said motor for said mainline conveyor in said power line and start said conveyor, an electricswitch operated by the coal discharged by said main line conveyor, toclose its contacts when the level oi the coal in the car being loadedreaches a predetermined height, to connect said motor for said hoist insaid main power line and start said hoist and cause said hoist to movesaid cars along said track, to fully load each car to substantially thesame level, and another switching means operated by movement of saidcars along the track to connect said motor for said transfer conveyor tosaid main power' line and start said transfer conveyor to transfer coaldischarged by said main line conveyor over the gaps between adjacentends of the cars, when said transfer conveyor is moved into materialreceiving relation with respect to said main line conveyor, said lastmentioned switching means having contacts operable to cause said hoistto continue to operate after the loaded car has moved beyond saidswitching means operated by the coal loaded on the cars.

5. In an automatic loading station for loading a trip of mine cars withloose material such as coal, a main line conveyor supported in cascaderelation with respect to a trip of cars movable along a mine track, atransfer conveyor extending in the direction of travel of the trip,manually controllable means for z -oving said transfer conveyor' intomaterial receiving relation with respect to said main line conveyor, totransfer the coal across the between adjacent ends of the cars, a hoistfor moving the trip along the track beneath the discharge end of saidconveyor, a separate motor for driving each of said conveyors and saidhoist, a main power line, and electric switching' mean: for connectingsaid motors in main power line to start and stop said conveyors and.hoist in. predet rmined order, said switching means including an elecutric switch operable by the 'first car of the trip, when said iirst caris spotted in material receiving relation with re peet to :nain lineconveyor, to connes said motor for said main line conveyor in said mainpower line and start said conveyor, an elect'c switch operated by thecoal discharged by sa i nia-in line conveyor, to close its contacts whenthe level of the coal in the car being loaded rea ches a predeterminedheight, to connect ho t motor in said main pov-Jer line, to start saidhoic and cause said hoist to move said cars along s "rack, to fully loadeach car to substantially the same level, and another switching r soperated by movement of said ears along the ti to connect said motor forsaid transfer conveyor to said main power line and. start said transferconveyor to transfer coal discharged by main line co vcyor over the gapsbetween adjacent ends of the cars, when said transier conveyor is movedinto material receiving relation with respect to said main lineconveyor, said mentioned switching means having contacts operable tocause said hoist to continue to operate after the loaded car has movedbeyond said switching means o;""ated by the coal loaded on the cars, andanother electric switch associated with said switch operated by the coalloaded on the cars, for stopping said main line conveyor when the coaldischarged thereon exceeds said predetermined level.

6. In an automatic loading station for loading a trip of mine cars withloose material such as coa-l, a mein line conveyor supported in cascaderelation ,l th respect to a trip of cars movable along a mine track, amotor for driving said conveyor, a hoist for progressively moving thetrip of cars beneath the discharge end of said main line conveyor, amotor for driving said hoist, a main power' line, a bar extending alonga rail of the track and guided for vertical movement with respectthereto, said bar being adapted to be engaged and depressed by a wheelo; a car, as the car passes thereby and 1ricing or a lengthsubstantially equal to the dista en the adjacent wheels of two connectedcari ci ie trip of cars and terminating adjacent sa ain line conveyor, aswitch adapted to be operated by depression of said bar and connect seidmain l ie conveyor in said power line and start said conveyor carengages said bar, a depending plate Jposed ad-l jacent the discharge endof conveyor and pivotally moved by the coal discharged thereby when thecoal in the car being loaded roaches a predetermined height, an electricswitch, an operative connection between said plate and said switch, toclose said switch and connect motor for said hoist in said main linecircuit, to start said hoist and move said car along the track when thecoal loaded therein reaches a predetermined height, and another barspaced in advance ci first mentioned bar a distance substany to thewheel base of the cars of the ci cars and extending along a rail of theession of 'oar and connect said hoist in said main line circuitoperation of said hoist when said t o a position to open its associatedtch, to cause said hoist to move said next succeeding into materialreceiving relation with respect to said main line conveyor.

'7. l'n automatic loading station or loading a trip or mine cars withloose material such as coal, a main line conveyor supported in cascaderelation wi h respect to a trip of cars movable along a mine track, atransfer conveyor extend- :irecticn oi travel of the mine cars, reliablemeans for moving said tion with inJ t.. the cent ends or" cars, a hoistfor advancing the beneath the discharge end oi said main line 3onveyor,a separate motor for driving each of conveyors said hoist, a main powerline,

extending parallel to a rail of the track ded for vertical movement withrespect said dcprcssible by a wheel of a, as said car passes thereby, a.switch opera- 'i ely connected with said bar and operated by depressionof said bar, to connect said motor for onveyor in said power line andyfor, a depending pivot-ed plate ,cent the discharge end of main or and,ivo-tally moved by the coal harged thereby when the coal in the carbeloaded reaches a predetermined height, an e ectric switch, anoperative connection between aid plate said switch to close said switchand ect said motor for said hoist in said start said hoist and causesaid oist to advance said car beneath said main line conveyor, andanother bar extending parallel to a railof the traclr. and guided forvertical movement with respect thereto, said bar being spaced advance ofsaid rst mentioned bar and bedepressible by a wheel of a car as said carpasses thereby, switching means operatively ccnnected with said 'car andoperated to connect said motors for said transfer conveyor and saidhoist in main line circuit upon depression of said by l car feel, tostart said .transier conveyor Wd continue operation of said` noist whend or" a passes beyond said pivoted plate. an automatic loading stationfor loadlng of noine cars with loose material such as line conveyorsupported in cascade h respect to a trip of cars movable along a etrack, a transfer conveyor extendin directon of travel oi the mine cars,manually controlla le means for moving said veyor into material receivmgrelaoect to said main line conveyor to coal across the gaps betweenadjathe cars, a hoist for advancing the the discharge end oi said mainline onveyor, a separate motor for driving each of a'd conveyors saidhoist, a main power line,

extending parallel to a rail of the track nd guided for verticalmovement with respect hereto, said bar being depressible by a wheel ofom roseo tively connected with said bar and operated by depression or"said bar, to connect said motor for said main line conveyor in saidpower line and start said conveyor, a depending pivoted plate disposedadjacent the discharge end of said main line conveyor and pivotallymoved by the coal discharged thereby when the coal in the car beingloaded reaches a predetermined height, an electric switch, an operativeconnection between said plate and said switch to close said switch uponupward pivotal movement of said plate, and connect said motor for saidhoist in said main line circuit, to start said hoist and cause saidhoist to advance said car 'beneath said main line conveyor, and anothel`bar extending parallel to a rail of the track and guided for verticalmovement with respect thereto, said bar being spaced in advance or" saidrst mentioned bar and being depressible by a wheel of a car as said carpasses thereby, switching means operatively connected with said bar andoperated to connect said motors for said transfer conveyor and saidhoist in said line circuit upon depression of said bar by a car wheel,to start said transfer conveyor and continue operation of said hoistwhen the end of a car passes beyond said pivoted plate, and anotherswitch operatively connected wi th said plate and movable to disconnectsaid drive motor for said main line conveyor from said power line whenthe coal discharged onto the car exceeds a predetermined height.

9. In an automatic loading station for loading a Lp or" mine cars withloose material such as coal, a main line conveyor supported in dischargerelation with respect to a trip of cars movable alone a mine track, atransfer conveyor extending in the direction of travel of the mine cars,manually operable means for moving said transfer conveyor into materialreceiving relation with respect to main line conveyor to canse saidtransfer conveyor to transfer the coal across the gaps between adjacentends of the cars, a hoist for advancing the trip beneath the dischargeend of said conveyor, a separate motor for driving each of .saidconveyors and said hoist, a main power line, a photoelectric relayincluding a light source on one side of the mine track adapted toestablish a light beam on a photoelectric cell on the opposite side ofthe racl: and disconnect said main line conveyor from said main powerline when said beam is established and connect said conveyor motor withsaid power line when said beam is broken, to start said conveyor, adepending pivoted plate disposed adjacent the discharge end of said mainline conveyor and moved upwardly by the coal discharged onto the car,when the coal reaches a predetermined height, an electric switchoperatively connected with said plate and closed upon upward movement ofsaid plate effected by the height of the coal discharged onto the carbeing loaded, to connect said hoist motor in said main power line, tostart said motor and hoist and cause the car being loaded to advancebeneath said conveyor, and another photoelectric relay including a lightsource adapted to establish a beam on a photoelectric cell on theopposite side of the track from said light source and connect saidmotors for driving said transfer conveyor and said hoist with said mainpower line to start said transfer conveyor and continue operation ofsaid hoist when said plate has dropped to a position to open itsassociated switch.

10. In an automobile loading station for loading a trip of mine carswith loose material such as coal, a main line conveyor supported incascado relationshi with respect to a trip of cars movable along a minetrack, a transfer conveyor extending in the diection of travel of thetrip and movable into material receiving relation with respect to saidmain line conveyor, a hoist for moving said trip of' cars, a switchoperable in accordance with the height of the coal loaded into saidcars, by said main conveyor for controlling said hoist to move said carsfor loading coal to a uniform height therein, other switching means sp`ced in advance oi said main line conveyor and operable by engagementwith the advance wheels of the car being loaded, for operating saidtransfer conveyor, and nleans selectively operable for moving saidtransfer conveyor into position to receive the discharge from said inainline conveyor.

il. ln an automobile loading station for loading a trip of mine carswith loose material such as coal, a roar1 line conveyor supported incascade relations-ip with respect to a trip of oars movable along a minetrack, a transfer conveyor extending in the direction of travel of thetrip and movable into and ont oi material receiving relation withrespect to main line conveyor, a hoist for moving said trip of cars, aswitch opu erable in accordance with the height of the coal loaded intosaid cars by said main conveyor for controlling said hoist to move saidcars for loading coal to a uniform height therein, and switch meanscontrolled by movement of the car being loaded along its track andconnected to continue operation of said hoist and nieve an associatedcar beyond the end oi said rnain line conveyor to operate said transferconveyor to transfer coal discharged by said main line conveyor over thegaps between adjacent ends of car".

l2. ln an automatic loading station for loading a trip oi inine carsfith loose material such as coal, a inain line conveyor supported incascade relationship with respect to a, trip of cars movable along a rre track, a transfer conveyor extending in ne ccton of travel of the tripand mounted for mover-nent into and out of material receiving relationwith respect to said main line conveyor, a hoist for 'moving said tripof cars, a switch operable in accordance with the height or" the coalloaded into said cars by said main conveyor for controlling said hoistto move said cars for loading coal to a uniform height therein,switching means operable by movement of the car being loaded along thetrack for continuing operation or" said hoist and operating saidtransier conveyor, and means selectively operable for moving saidtransfer conveyor into position to receive the charge from main lineconveyor.

13. In an automatic loading station for loading a trip of mine cars withloose material such as c coal having a main line conveyor supported inma erial discharge relation with resp-ect to a trip of cars movablealong a track, a motor for driving said conveyor, a hoist for movingsaid trip of cars, a motor driving said hoist, a movable transferconveyor mounted ior movement into material receiving relation withrespect to said main line conveyor, a motor driving said transferconveyor, means selectively operable to move said transfer conveyor intomaterial receiving relation with respect to said main line conveyor, andswitching means operated by movement of the cars along the trackconnected to energize said hoist motor to progress the cars along thetrack including two depressi'ble track bars, one on the up track side ofsaid main line conveyor and terminating adjacent said niain lineconveyor, and the other spaced from said one track bar on the down trackside oi said conveyor a distance equal to the Wheel base of the cars andoperable to maintain said hoist motor energized as the car being loadedpasses beyond the discharge end of said main line conveyor and toenergize said transfer conveyor motor to drive said conveyor to transfermaterial across the gap between adjacent cars.

14. In a mine car loading systenincluding a car track, a loading boomhaving its discharge end above said track at a car loading station, anda car hoist for moving cars alonrA said track, automatic load controlmeans for r'ars supported on `said track. comprising a load ieeler plateoperatively suspended at a location. above and spaced outwardly of thedischarge end of said loading boom for movement by car loading materialas the portion of the car beneath said loading boom is nlled to the topthereof, means operated by movement ol said ieeler plate to con trolsaid hoist to inove the car relative to the loading boorn as the car isfilled, a first car wheel operated tread plate at said loading station,means opera-ted by said first tread plate to maintain said loading boomin operation while the wheels of a oar being loaded are on said tread'plate and to discontinue such operation when the car wheels pass fromsaid iirst tread plate, a second tread plate at the loaded car side ofsaid loading station engaged by the wheels of a loaded car as the loadedcar wheels leave said first tread plate, and means operated by saidsecond tread plate to operate said hoist to more a iully loaded car frombeneath said boom and place a succeeding empty car therebeneath` and asafety device supported adjacent said ieeler plate and 0p- 'eratedthereby to discontinue operation of said loading boom ii the leeierplate is moved by car loading material beyond a predetermined extent.

TINIOTHY F. a/ TCC-ARTHY.

References Cited in the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS f)Number Name Date 1,203,167 Woolson Oct. 31, 1916 1,431,051 Shivers Oct.3, 1922 2,288,763 Winship et al. July 7, 1942 2,384,385 Madeira Sept. 4,1945

